National Defense Authorization Act (2019)

National Defense Authorization Act (2019)
Name	National Defense Authorization Act (2019)
Enacted by	115th United States Congress
Signed by	Donald Trump
Signed date	2018
Public law	Public Law 115–232
Title	John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019

National Defense Authorization Act (2019) The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 was a United States federal statute setting policy and authorizations for the United States Department of Defense for fiscal year 2019. The Act established force structure, personnel policy, procurement, and research priorities across a wide array of defense programs and interacted with congressional committees such as the United States House Committee on Armed Services and the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services. Its development and enactment involved negotiations among leaders including Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, and members of the Trump administration.

Background and Legislative History

The 2019 authorization arose amid budget debates following the Budget Control Act of 2011 and the signing of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, with congressional activity engaging the House Armed Services Committee, the Senate Armed Services Committee, and legislators such as Adam Smith (Washington politician), Mac Thornberry, Jack Reed (Rhode Island politician), and John McCain. The bill negotiated priorities between defense leaders including James Mattis, Mark Esper, Patrick Shanahan, and appropriations chairs like Thom Tillis and Richard Shelby. Floor consideration included amendments from members such as Tulsi Gabbard, Randy Weber (Texas politician), and Elise Stefanik, and votes touched on oversight interests from Senate Intelligence Committee members, veterans’ issues championed by Jon Tester, and procurement concerns raised by Ted Cruz.

Key Provisions and Policy Changes

Major provisions addressed procurement programs such as F-35 Lightning II, Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, Virginia-class submarine, and shipbuilding authorities tied to the United States Navy. The Act modified personnel policies affecting United States Army, United States Air Force, United States Marine Corps, and United States Space Force-related plans, including pay raises consistent with prior acts like the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018. Research and development authorities touched on agencies and programs such as Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Missile Defense Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration interfaces, and procurement relationships with contractors including Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, General Dynamics, and Raytheon Technologies. Cybersecurity and space policy provisions intersected with entities like United States Cyber Command, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the emerging Space Development Agency concept, affecting cooperation with allies including NATO members such as United Kingdom and Australia.

Budgetary and Authorization Details

The Act authorized funding levels influenced by budget caps set under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 and appropriations debates involving the House Appropriations Committee and Senate Appropriations Committee. It specified procurement authorizations for platforms including MQ-9 Reaper, KC-46 Pegasus, P-8 Poseidon, and sustainment for fleets including Ohio-class submarine conversions and carrier strike groups centered on USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78). Financial oversight provisions referenced Government Accountability Office reporting requirements, audit efforts by the Department of Defense Inspector General, and acquisition reforms echoing earlier statutes such as the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009.

Controversies and Legal Challenges

Debates over the Act involved contentious clauses addressing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, detainee policy affected by references to the Authorization for Use of Military Force, and provisions on military construction that drew criticism from members including Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. Legal challenges invoked constitutional concerns reviewed by scholars associated with institutions like Harvard Law School and Yale Law School and commentary from former officials such as James Comey and John Brennan. Controversy also arose over procurement awards and contract disputes involving corporations like Huntington Ingalls Industries and Cubic Corporation, and debate over policy toward North Korea influenced by interactions among Mike Pompeo, Kim Jong-un, and congressional interlocutors.

Implementation and Impact

Implementation engaged the Office of the Secretary of Defense, combatant commands including United States Indo-Pacific Command, United States Central Command, and United States European Command, and service secretaries such as Patrick Shanahan and Heather Wilson. The Act’s authorizations affected force posture decisions in regions involving South China Sea, Persian Gulf, and Baltic states, and informed cooperative programs with partners like Japan, South Korea, NATO allies, and security assistance frameworks tied to Foreign Military Financing mechanisms overseen by the Department of State. Programmatic outcomes included procurement timelines impacting shipyards like Newport News Shipbuilding and aerospace supply chains linking firms such as Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce plc.

Legislative Amendments and Subsequent Developments

Post-enactment changes arose through appropriations riders, continuing resolutions debated in the 116th United States Congress, and follow-on authorization bills such as the subsequent National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020. Congressional oversight hearings featured witnesses from Defense Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, and service chiefs like Mark A. Milley and David H. Berger. Long-term effects informed later debates on modernization in hearings before the Senate Armed Services Committee and influenced legislative priorities involving emerging technologies and alliances exemplified by partnerships with Israel, NATO, and partners in the Indo-Pacific.

Category:United States federal defense legislation